Painter, poet,
and printmaker William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827) is known
for his unconventional views through his poems and other writings, though he
remained relatively unknown during his time. "The Tyger" was first published in Songs of
Experience (1794) which was
eventually combined with his Songs of Innocence (1789) into one title—Songs of Innocence and Experience, showing
the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul: the author and printer, W. Blake.
In 2002, Blake
was number 38 in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons.